SRINAGAR, Jan 21: Three militants were killed in an encounter with the police and security forces at Hapatnar in the Chrar-i-Sharif area of Central Kashmir's Budgam district. Reports said that a joint team of army's 53RR and SOG cordoned off the area after having inputs about the presence of some militants in the area. As the joint team approached the area the hiding militants fired upon them triggering an encounter. The gunfight culminated with the killing of three militants. Earlier in the day some reports emanated that no militant has been killed in the area. However, late in the day it came out that encounter ended with the death of three militants.The slain militants were affiliated with banned militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. They were identified as Manzoor Ahmad Kar of Sirnoo-Pulwama, Shahid Baba of Drabgam-Pulwama and Hilal Ahmad of Begumbagh-Kakapora, Pulwama. Some arms and ammunition were recovered from their possession.A police spokesman said that based on credible inputs about the presence of militants in Hapatnar area of Chrar-I-Sharif in district Budgam, a cordon and search operation was launched today jointly by police and security forces in the area."As these searches were going on, the search party was fired upon by the militants. The fire was retaliated leading to a gunfight. In the ensuing encounter three militants were killed and the bodies were recovered from the site of encounter," said the police spokesman.The spokesman said that a case has been registered and investigation has been initiated in the matter. He said that incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter. Srinagar-based defence spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that three militants have been killed in operation Zinpanthal (Budgam) adding that the operation is in progress.